Wilkes University

Cabinet April 29, 2015

Wilkes University Weckesser Board Room April 29, 2015 – 9a.m. DISCUSSION . Action Items Bolded

APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the Cabinet meetings on March 4th, March 18th, and April 1st of 2015 were approved with suggestions.

IT UPDATES – JOHN Mr. Stachacz reported that the campus community will be notified that effective June 1, 2015, IT will limit the storage on individual faculty and staff STACHACZ accounts to 25GB. Limited storage will not affect department accounts as a whole. This issue was previously discussed with the FAC and the individuals that will be affected. Mr. Stachacz stated that significant performance enhancements will be made to the system during the summer that include expanding the bandwidth, improving wireless capabilities, and controlling spam more efficiently .

FOUNDER’S GALA Mr. Wood reported that last year at this point in time 114 tickets were committed as compared to 314 tickets this year. There were 16 sponsors last UPDATE – MIKE WOOD year at this time compared to 35 currently. Ads committed to date total 33 compared to only 1 last year. Last year 1 miscellaneous gift was received and this year there are 240 miscellaneous gifts to date. Finally, last year finished with a total of $260K and to date the total reflects $353K in gala funds. Seating has been expanded to accommodate 420 guests compared to 330 seats last year. RSVP’s for the event on May 30th are due May 11th, and the additional seats are expected to be filled. Dr. Leahy noted that this is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates at the Gala.

SUMMER HOURS The Cabinet agreed that starting Monday, May 18th, the University’s new summer hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Second and third shift DISCUSSION employees will have their work schedules adjusted accordingly. The summer schedule will conclude at the close of business on Friday, August 14th.

POSITION REQUESTS President’s Office The Cabinet approved Dr. Leahy’s request for a receptionist. This position will be posted with an anticipated June start date.

Creative Writing The Cabinet approved Dr. Culver’s request for an Interim Associate Director of Creative Writing.

Political Science The Cabinet approved Dr. Baldino’s request for a Visiting Assistant Professor. This is a replacement position.

Student Affairs The Cabinet approved the request of Dr. Adams for an Associate Dean of Student Affairs. This is a replacement position.

INFORMATIONAL Ms. Wade provided an update on enrollment. As of close of business on April 28, 2015, 468 freshmen net deposits were received as compared to 417 ITEMS last year at this time, and transfer deposits total 67 compared to 49 this time last year. Graduate summer is looking fairly well in both continuing and new student numbers. International committed students total 11 with a goal of 30. Dr. Adams added that housing numbers look promising for the upcoming academic year.

Mr. Prescott reported on the unexpected expense of recent electrical problems. He asked the Cabinet to continue its efforts in cutting spending where possible through the end of the fiscal year to ensure a balanced budget.

Dr. Zbegner reported that senior nursing students received the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exam, a predictor for the NCLEX exam. Out of 47 students, only 17 scored less than 850. She reported a 92% rate in correlation with the boards. Students who did not do well in the exam will remediate and retake the exam.

1 Cabinet April 29, 2015

Dr. Adams and Dr. Skleder were pleased to attend a dinner on April 25th where Wilkes University was honored with the Rainbow Award from the NEPA Rainbow Alliance, the region’s only LGBT nonprofit organization. The Cabinet thanked Dr. Helen Davis, Ms. Liz Swantek, Ms. Erica Acosta, Ms. Georgia Costalas and the team in the Center for Global Education and Diversity, and Ms. Ellen Newell for their support and work on the program.

Dr. Alves reported that he received word that alumna, Sidhu School of Business graduate Evana Manandhar ’14, a native of Nepal and recently crowned Miss Nepal, is ok and is working on the recovery of the recent devastating earthquake in that country.

Ms. Wade reported that Wilkes-Barre is hosting the AMVETS conference during the first week of June at the East Mountain Inn. Wilkes University will be a sponsor of the conference.

Dr. Baldino noted that yesterday was the last of this year’s series for The Humpty Dumpty Institute. The speaker was Mattias Sundholm who is currently working as Communications Adviser to the United National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Dr. Baldino was pleased that the lecture was well received and thank Dr. Andrew Miller for his support of the series.

Mr. Chielli stated that a Writing for the Web Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2015 and approximately 30-40 people are registered.

Mr. Housenick reported that the Service Awards Program for Employees begins at 5:45pm this evening.

Mr. Housenick announced that annual Open Benefits Enrollment period ends on Friday, May 1, 2015.

Dr. Leahy announced that Dr. Jim Merryman’s Memorial Service is scheduled for 2pm at the Darte Center this coming Saturday with a reception to follow.

Dr. Leahy invited those interested on the Cabinet to attend the North Branch Land Trust dinner on May 6, 2015 at the Westmoreland Club.

Dr. Leahy stated that he is working on a draft of the compensation guiding principles. He will visit with the USAC and FAC for feedback on the Plan. The Cabinet will also have an opportunity to provide feedback. All feedback will be discussed at a future Cabinet meeting prior to finalizing the plan. , ATTENDANCE Pat Leahy, President Tom Baldino Chip Prescott Rhonda Waskiewicz Anne Skleder Jack Chielli Mike Speziale, absent Terri Wignot, absent Paul Adams Jennifer Edmonds John Stachacz Mike Wood Jeff Alves Bernie Graham Melanie Wade Deb Zbegner Housenick, Joseph ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Susan DiBonifazio